BONUS MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2025

Setting your piggery up for success Doné Oosthuizen - Monogastric Technical Advisor “Invest wisely, earn abundantly: because spending today paves the path to tomorrow’s wealth.” This article explores the key reasons why farmers are often reluctant to allocate resources to gilts and how these challenges can be overcome to ensure long-term farm productivity and profitability. 1. Foundation for herd replacement Proper gilt management is essential for maintaining a productive sow herd. As older sows are culled or removed from production due to age or health issues, a steady supply of well-managed gilts is necessary to replace them. This replacement ensures continuity in breeding programmes and helps maintain the overall health and productivity of the herd . 2. Genetic improvement Selecting and rearing high-quality gilts contributes to genetic improvement within the herd. By focusing on desirable traits such as fertility, litter size, growth rate, and disease 3. Reproductive performance The reproductive performance of gilts significantly impacts a farm’s productivity. Well-managed gilts, properly conditioned and bred at the right age and weight, tend to have higher conception rates, larger litters, and better maternal behaviours. These factors contribute to higher piglet survival rates and increased weaning weights, ultimately leading to more marketable pigs and higher revenue. 4. Health management and disease control Effective gilt management includes robust health protocols to prevent diseases and ensure the general well-being of the animals. In the world of pig farming, gilts play a pivotal role in the sustainability and growth of a herd. Despite their importance, many farmers remain hesitant to invest significantly in gilt rearing and management. This reluctance stems from various factors, ranging from immediate financial constraints to perceived risks and uncertainties associated with gilts. Understanding these reasons is essential to addressing the challenges and changing the narrative around gilt investment in the agricultural sector. resistance, farmers can enhance the genetic pool of their herd. This genetic improvement translates into higher productivity, better feed efficiency, and improved overall herd health - critical factors for economic success. Autumn 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 2